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Tale of two hamlets
What Malgudi is to Indian writing, Paldi may be to literature on Punjab. Save for a vital distinction. While Malgudi was born of its writer's imagination (a fictional amalgamation of Bangalore and Mysore towns by R.K. Narayan), Paldi is very much rooted in reality.
The native village of one Mayo Singh Manhas near Hoshiarpur, Paldi got its namesake in Canada when this son of the soil migrated and set up a lumber village of the same name in British Columbia. And it is these two quaint hamlets, one closer home and the other continents away, that converge in the debut novel of Canadian Kathryn Myra Spencer, Paldi. Growing up in a logging island town near Vancouver, called Lake Cowichan, little did this clinical counsellor-cum-painter know then that just 10 miles away was the land that would become the starting point for her journey as a writer. In the tricity on Tuesday on the invitation of Hamshira, a forum for women, the kurti-clad, petite Kathryn got chatting about books, boundaries and beyond. Excerpts: How did the novel happen? Growing up close to Paldi in British Columbia, we used to have a lot of children of mixed origin—Japanese, Chinese, Indian—coming to our school. So, I had an image of this mystifying place in my mind. But my actual discovery of it happened later, when I attended the first Sikh wedding in Paldi. Years later, I met a guy who hailed from the Paldi in Punjab. This unexpected discovery that there were two Paldis made the idea of a novel click in my mind. What is the meeting ground between both the Paldis? Both are geographically obscure little hamlets. To me the Canadian Paldi resembled a mini Punjab, with scores of immigrants, a gurudwara, and an assortment of mills. Much of it is gone now but for the shrine, the mills have almost shut down. What does Punjab mean to you? The choodis, chhallas and kaantas that we'd get from Punjabi friends on our birthdays have become the symbols of my cross-cultural exchange. Punjabis are so giving and fun loving! What does this cross-cultural narrative borrow from these two diverse worlds? It is essentially a yearning for the 'other.' One of the female protagonists, Ella, yearns for the life in the East, while the other, Prabhjot, seeks the values of the West. The bond between my characters was inspired from my own friendship with an Indo-Canadian woman. Is your work multi-layered? In some sense, yes. On the surface, Ella's yearning for her 'true home,' for the 'other Paldi,' embodies a geographical journey. But on a deeper level, it is a metaphor for a spiritual odyssey. Since my writing draws upon the belief of reincarnation, it is also symbolic of the transmigration of the soul. Is it a stark portrait or is the mood celebratory? Though it does deal with certain outdated rituals that girls are subjected to in Punjab, the overall mood is one of celebration. Have you reinforced the stereotypes that inform many of the writings on India? Not really. My novel is more about giving an insight into what happens within the homes, the generational gap, the ethical divide. Lastly, being a painter too, what do you find more challenging: taking up the pen or the brush? (Laughs) Well, painting is just a hobby. Certainly, it is challenging to write a novel. I started work on this book in early 2007 and did a lot of research on the two Paldis. Now, that surely makes her a writer with a broad canvas. chetnabanerjee@tribunemail.com |
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The new dream girl
"Whoever is on top is the dreamgirl. I feel it is Aishwarya Rai," Hema told reporters on being asked who, according to her, deserves to be called the 'dreamgirl' nowadays. Taking about the hardships an actor has to face, she said: "An actress' life is the same - nothing has changed. It is what it was even 20 years back. They have to work very hard, make themselves look beautiful and need a lot of dedication to remain at the top," said Hema, who was in this suburb of the national capital Monday to felicitate winners of supermarket Big Bazaar's 'Meet The Dreamgirl' contest. Snubbing the whole idea of having a size zero figure, Hema said: "There's no need (for a size zero figure). I was not a size zero. You must have a flat stomach - not a pot belly - and a nice and beautiful face - at least a tolerable face - and you can be an actress." "I've signed one or two (films), which are held up because of the financial problems in the whole world. Otherwise I would have finished those two and they would have released by now." "One is with Nana Patekar which Deepa Sahi is directing, and the other is with another producer. It is not right to expose everything about a film," she said. Another film that Hema is working on is Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi - in which she will play a role based on the life of prominent political figure Vijayaraje Scindia. Hema, who has delivered hits like Seeta Aur Geeta, Satte Pe Satta, and Sholay in the past, is also toying with the idea of getting into production and returning to direction after almost 17 years. "I'm planning to start production. I don't want to say much about it because every time I talk about these things, they never happen. It's my desire to make lovely films because I am an artist and a very creative person," she said. "But filmmaking is not a joke...so many things are involved," she added. — IANS
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Eye spy
"Distressed today.. have a mad red eye! It sucks...," read Priyanka's post on Twitter.
Her eye has become "fully red" now, sources close to the actress said. "She (Priyanka) went to show her eye to the doctor and she has been prescribed some eyedrops, which she is using now," said the source. Apart from being busy shooting Pyaar Impossible, in which she is starring alongside Uday Chopra, Priyanka has finished shooting for Ashutosh Gowariker's What's Your Rashee? and is awaiting the release of Shahid Kapur-starrer
Kaminey. —TNS
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Living in the moment
"My relationship has been a stablising factor in my life and I am very happy right now," the 23-year-old actor said. When asked about rumours of living-in and engagement, Shahana says she is not even thinking about the future. "I don't think about future. I am enjoying every moment of it and that's what matters," she says. Making her debut with a small role in Naseeruddin starrer Yun Hota To Kya Hota in 2006, Shahana has come a long way with films like Rock On and Firaaq. The actor, who won critics' choice award for Best Actress at Filmfare awards Rock On!!, is happy with the adulation that has come her way in the very beginning of her career but says it is a continuous struggle to come true to people's expectations. "So far my career has gone very well, but it is not easy. You have lots of expectations. The industry has been very friendly to me but it is an onward struggle to get right king of projects," Shahana says. — PTI
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Ga-ga about girls
Television heartthrob Rajeev Khandelwal, who wowed critics and audiences in Aamir, has a new woman in his life and says he would love to father a baby girl whenever he settles down in life. "I love families and kids. I would love to be a father and carry my daughter on my shoulders when I go for work. I love baby girls," Rajeev, who is returning to the small screen as a reality show host, said. Currently he is doing his bit to fulfill his desire by sponsoring a girl child. "If given a choice, I would love to adopt a girl. But it's a great feeling to even sponsor and support a girl child - it's as good as being a father to her," he said in the interview. Rajeev, who was earlier in a relationship with actor Aamna Shariff, his co-star on hit daily soap Kahiin Toh Hoga, admits that he now has someone special in his life. "Yes, I am seeing someone right now. But she is not from the industry," he said, refusing to reveal her name. He, however, stressed that marriage was not on the cards for him any time soon. "I've always intended to settle down with every girl I have dated in my life. But I have left it (marriage) on life. Whenever life pushes me into that direction, I will do it," he said. Rajeev said he decided to make a comeback on the small screen to host STAR Plus' new reality show Sach Ka Saamna because it dealt with emotions of everyday life and presented people who could own up to the truth fearlessly. Sach Ka Saamna, the Indian version of internationally known show Moment of Truth, will reward contestants for their courage to speak the truth about their personal lives on national television. The format and the content of the show is what drew Rajeev to the show. "I could relate to the questions asked in the show. They are somewhere related to every person's life. That was one reason I agreed to the show besides the fact that it applauds those who can own up to the truth not fearing the consequences," he said. The show will air Monday-Friday at 10.30 p.m. starting July 15, Rajeev has a few Bollywood projects lined up too - British filmmaker John Owen's Peter Gaya Kaam Se and Saurabh Narang's Return Gift. Rajeev had won the hearts of many women during his first stint on TV and the list only got longer after he entered Bollywood. The actor says he absolutely loves the adulation he receives from his female fans, though it is "difficult to stay grounded" at all times. "There are lots of women who make me feel special. But I have always known it's not for me but for the characters I play. It's not that I'm a great looker, a great speaker or a great actor - but somehow I'm told that you are liked by the fairer sex and it gives me joy. "I love it when any woman looks at me, smiles and I know it is genuine. It feels good. Imagine 10 women looking at you when you go in the lift - it becomes very difficult for me to stay grounded in such situations," Rajeev said. In fact his fans have given him so much love by way of gifts that the actor didn't have to buy a single object to decorate his living room. "My house is loaded. My living room has been done up by my fans. It's like an Archies Gallery - full of teddy bears, souvenirs and statues of gods. Though I don't believe in god, my house has about 85 statues of Ganesha,” said Rajeev. — IANS
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Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, who is playing a Sikh in some parts of his debut production Love Aaj Kal, says essaying the character meant a lot of responsibility for him. "You have to work with great responsibility while playing certain characters so that you don't end up hurting others' sentiments. I have played the role of a Sikh gentleman in this film with sensitivity. A lot of work went behind it in order to make the character authentic," Saif told reporters. "We took care of the costumes, the look, mannerisms, dialect and a lot of other things like I was told not to smoke while wearing the turban while we were shooting for the film in Patiala," he added. Love Aaj Kal, directed by Imtiaz Ali of Jab We Met fame, also stars Deepika Padukone and is set to release July 31.—IANS
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Collector’s addition
There is something about black and white photographs. They never fail to evoke nostalgia. And, when any such photograph has anything to do with the institution one studied in, emotions galore. This is exactly what motivated D. S. Kapoor, a faculty at the Government College of Art-10, went on an old photo collection spree. And after years of beg, borrow and steal policy he has adopted to get his way, Kapoor has collected 25 rare photographs of the college since its inception at Lahore in 1875. His album shows a majestic building at Lahore, which used to be known as Mayo School of Art. One of the oldest institutions of undivided India, during the reign of the British, John Lockwood Kipling, was the founder principal of the institution. "This is a magnified copy of a small picture my father used to carry with him," says Kapoor whose three generations, including him, has been associated with the college. His father Sujan Singh was a student of Mayo School and later became a faculty member when S L Prasher rounded up old students and teachers of the school from various refugee camps to start what is known today is the Government College of Art at Shimla in 1951. Kapoor's grandfather Sardar Sunnder Singh Kapoor used to teach at Mayo School of Art before partition.
History unfolds from there in more than thousand words. A serene looking Viceroy lodge, which served as the starting point for the college, group photos of founder members and art promoters like S.L. Prasher, M S Randhawa, Baldev Rattan, N. K. Dey, Balbir Singh Kalekar, H. S. Purewal and a host of unknown faces. One of the photographs shows a class in progress where students are seen sitting on the floor. The year was 1964 and college venue had shifted to Chandigarh by then. However, not everything is academic in Kapoor's collection. He has collected one rare picture of a shooting scene from yesteryear's hit Bollywood film Junglee, featuring Shammi Kapoor and Saira Bano. The dance sequence was filmed at the Shimla campus. The other picture is of the Bhangra group, which performed a bhangra on the song Yeh desh hain veer jawano ka… for another Bollywood hit Naya Daur. Kapoor now plans to exhibit them and he has found a good day for it, August 16, which happens to be the college's Founder's Day. "I am trying to collect a few more. It is difficult to get people part with their treasured memory and it takes a lot of persuasion, but once they know my quest has a larger perspective, they oblige," he says. Of course, this is one way of preserving history! parbina@tribunemail.com
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Contest calling
The King of Pop is no more. But his music will remain immortal. He continues to live in the world of music and in the hearts of millions of his fans worldwide. Michael Jackson was quite popular with his trademark moonwalk, sequin covered white glove, black loafers, white socks, black slim-fit trousers and white v-neck T-shirt with a monogrammed military-style jacket.
To bring alive the magic of the immortal star, Desitara invites you to participate in the contest "Michael Jackson Is Alive". This contest requires the participants to perform on their favorite Michael Jackson song and upload the video on Desitara.com. The contest runs till 20th July and the participants with maximum number of votes win exciting goodies such as play stations and
ipods. — TNS
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The shampoo sachet is available in two variants for dry and oily hair at all outlets across India. 'Parachute Advansed Starz Shampoo' is made from ingredients that have been chosen specially keeping in mind the delicate nature of children's hair. Coconut Proteins - For Gentle nourishment. Protein Vitamin Shakti - Fortify and strengthen hair. Strawberries - A yummy fragrance that children love.— TNS
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Rivals for a room
Roll number, degree, hostel; so runs the campus bare necessities for survival scroll. And it's not easy! Given the entrance? Completed formalities? Got admission? Time to battle it out for hostels. The simplest of statements 'Students looking for admission need apply to the department first.' Where again, it's merit basis. Huh! Got the hunch? It's not simple. "Getting through a hostel accommodation is not easy. You see we came from Nagaland and first we had to take admission in the department only then the formalities began," Jennifer Supongsenla, Master's in Social Work student's, recounting her days before being a part of Sarojini Hostel. She continues, "I remember we'd keep running back to the department to know our status and their statement would be like 'one more day' in the repeat mode." And then? "Ultimately we were allocated the place but good two weeks later, by the end of July." In between, Panjab University's recent ruling of not playing host to students hopping from one MA to another falls into place, finds a
favour.
"Most of my friends are from other cities and now on completing their education do not wish to go back to their native places. They plan to stay in Chandigarh and continue putting up in hostels," winks a law student. Till, the decision played spoil sport! Anyways where were we? The tale finds an echo way beyond the six boys' and seven girls' hostels on varsity grounds. Talk affiliated colleges and the anecdotes get compelling. "Add to the scarcity problem, conditions like 'I want such and such room', neither near the washrooms nor away from the balcony and near the lift. So yes, getting a room itself is difficult and getting a room of your choice even more so," laughs Simrit Singh, from the Government College for Girls. She adds, "Generally, it's not the first year students but those a session or two old that put such demands." Nods Jennifer, "Yes, in their own subtle way, such concepts do exist. For example, certain rooms due to their view or location are always popular. The authorities ask you to give an application in advance, along with reference and or some other formality. Even that's not a guarantee you'll get a particular room, the one that you laid your finger on. Many a times, it's taken." And yes, has somebody since the beginning been prompting, the war for single occupancy? Shares Sukrant Bhatia, a PU student, "During the first year we have sharing basis and if you need one all to yourself it's really difficult. During the second year, yes, one gets a separate cubicle." Which everybody wants for obvious reasons! As Mother Teresa Hostel is still under construction, we bet somewhere there are students already applying for it. A room with a view, near the balcony, at the beginning, next to corridor, blah blah. Just get wishful! manpriya@tribunemail.com There's always room for more. Laughs Simrit, "Talking of perfect room criteria, and there're various stories and rumours doing the rounds, certain rooms are lucky, while some are haunted, while still others have some or the other image attached to them." She continues, "One of my friends in some other city college saw a snake appearing from some hole in her room and suddenly nobody wanted it anymore. Next session it had to be allotted to unsuspecting new comers." Winks Sukrant, "I know people who have been here for 10 years. There are people ready to double post graduation for the sake of place."
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An artist in the making, Sonika Mann is a charmer, but of reptiles Chubby cheeks, dimpled chin, rosy lips, eyes are blue, lovely too…Hang on. It isn't just a nursery rhyme but a picture of mama's li'l darling, all bubbles and pink and roses. You get the point. What if the girl gave up 'frock and sash' image and grew up amidst snakes, animals in the dark, reptiles, and creatures of the wild? Sonika Maan, Bachelor's of Fine Arts student, Government College of Art-10 is just not the usual sorts. She's a charmer and snake rescuer! The girl runs a Nawashahar based Non Government Organisation Wildlife Conservation Society and no; even that's not where the unusual part lies. "We got the society registered in 2006 and right now there are forty people who are involved. We don't extend membership to everyone, because we don't want to accumulate people just for the sake of money only," says the vice-president. Maybe more on that later. So what's with the snakes? Err… isn't she scared like the normal girls her age? "I rescued first snake from the snake charmer when I was in class X. It was my holidays and I must have paid him four to five hundred bucks." But the wild affair began even before. She says, "Since childhood I have been fascinated by snakes, lizards, birds." And the liking grew into empathy with the result her organisation is all for wildlife rehabilitation. "During rainy season there are lots and lots of snakes, even the small ones, we rescue them and accordingly leave them in the nearest forest or according to their habitat in that area." She adds, "During winters, its deers, sambars and wild bears. But generally, the animals that we find are injured only. We get them treated and then release them into their area," at which point discussion deviates. "Funds are a problem. There're certain snakes that cannot be handled with stick, at times small ones too are venomous. Then, when an animal is injured you need a vehicle to carry them which sometimes doesn't come for three hours, meantime the animal is about to die," the list is literally endless. Anyways, so forget an average who'd shriek her lungs out just on spotting a reptile! She giggles, "Show me a snake and I can tell you whether it's venomous or not." And how does the snake rescuing happen? "It's not rocket science, just needs tact and skilful handling. I use an iron stick that I made myself. We tackle them with head, pick up and scrutinise if they're venomous or not." She adds, "They aren't scary, are rather innocent, you look at a lizard it's not threatening, can even read their psychology." Way to go! manpriya@tribunemail.com
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Bakwaas bytes Hellowie…babes, babies and barbies and even wannabes! We thought of upping your 'cool quotient' so, starting today, every week Lifestyle will bestow li'l random pearls of wisdom that will stand you in good stead, if not in the exams, then otherwise. This time we just went judging your 'fashion vocabulary'. Remember the classic bikini song? Itsy bitsy teeny weeny polka dotted yellow bikini…so went the classic on one of the most talked about garment. The garment that all the gals would love to flaunt their bodies in, all the aunties would go greener than grass on seeing other women in it and…well, wish we could print it! Anyways, this is not about the bikini, it's about the trikini. Googling or googled? Unfortunately, our campus crowd was clueless too. Here's what they had to say, 'We have no idea' 'I have been preparing for the exams so have not been reading newspapers!' etc etc. Thankfully, no one said it's part of the nuclear deal! Rest everything else was attempted. While we couldn't mutter monokini (remove one garment even from Bikini shh!) we sure can give you details of the trikini. Oops…the picture alongside will do the needful. But for the super super uninitiated, the trikini, defined originally as "a handkerchief and two small saucers", reappeared a few years ago as a bikini bottom with a stringed halter of two triangular pieces of cloth covering the breasts. Huh! Learn the usage. Make one sentence and you're done. So are we. Till then… —TNS
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I tone The university, in a recent ruling, has decided to make the attendance of students online. Imagine parents coming to know what lecture you attended and what you didn't at the end of each day? So good or bad, does this mean no bunking for now or things won't change? Students speak... Good move
Thumbs up
Who cares?
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For Bollywood's original 'dreamgirl' Hema Malini, beauty queen-turned-actor Aishwarya Rai is the only one who deserves the 'dreamgirl' tag among all the new age actor.
Actor Priyanka Chopra is "distressed" as she has been nursing an eye infection for the past few days but did not let it come in the way of shooting for Yash Raj Films' Pyaar Impossible.
Rock On!! girl Shahana Goswami may be playing a neurotic and emotionally unstable woman in Jashn but the actor says that love has brought stability in her real life.
Shahana, who is dating model-actor Milind Soman, is happy with her personal life.
Parachute Advansed, one of India's most trusted hair care brand now presents 'Parachute Advansed Starz Shampoo' for kids between 6-12 years, in a convenient and easy to use Sachet available at a price of Rs 2 (MRP Inclusive of all taxes).
See, those who have to bunk, will bunk. At the end of the day, this move will be only effective is there is some contact with the parents. I personally feel it's a good decision. And in any case, in my college it was already there. 
If implemented, it's a good decision. Especially because it'll bring in more transparency. Otherwise, everything has its pros and cons. But with this, everyone can come to know their status online, the parents, the teachers and the students.
I don't think it would make a difference. Those who want to bunk will do so anyways. Take me for example, if I wish to do so, I will anyways. It's formality as long as there's no concrete solution.